Civics Study Notes.docx

**Civics Study Notes** Elements of Democratic Freedom: - Freedom to Act, Speak and Think Freely (so long it doesn't stop others doing the same) - Equality Before the Law and the Right to a Fair Trial - Safe and Secure Community - A Government that is Efficient, Transparent, Responsi...

**Civics Study Notes** Elements of Democratic Freedom: - Freedom to Act, Speak and Think Freely (so long it doesn't stop others doing the same) - Equality Before the Law and the Right to a Fair Trial - Safe and Secure Community - A Government that is Efficient, Transparent, Responsive and Accountable to Citizens - The Ability to Hold Elected Representatives Responsible - Freedom of Religion, Gender, Race, Language, Sexuality, and Ethnicity - Right to Education Key Definitions: - Democracy -- Citizens govern themselves - Referendum -- Voting to change the constitution - Direct Democracy -- Citizens vote themselves - Representative Democracy -- Politicians vote on behalf of citizens - Representative Government -- Citizens elect members of parliament. They are able to elect new people if unhappy, therefore keeping law makers focused on the wishes of Australians. - Separation of Powers -- Separates the power and responsibilities among the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary. This is done to prevent an authoritarian and dictatorship, so no one group has too much power. - Parliament -- Make and vote on laws (Legislative) - Government -- Apply and implement laws (Executive) - Courts -- Judge application of laws (Judicial) +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Role of Parliament | Role of Government | +===================================+===================================+ | - Represents the people of | - Developing national policy | | Australia | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Makes and proposes laws | - Making important decisions | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Scrutinises the actions of | - Introducing Bills and putting | | the Government | laws into action | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Where Government is formed | - Representing Australia | | | overseas | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ Types of Parliaments: - Bicameral Parliament -- System of making laws using 2 houses of Parliament - Unicameral Parliament -- System of making laws using 1 house of Parliament Other: - Anarchy -- No one in charge - Monarchy -- Born into role - Dictatorship -- Takes power without authority - Oligarchy -- Small group of leaders - Democracy -- Citizens decide rulers - Executive -- To carry out laws and put them into action (Prime Minister) - Legislature -- Make and vote on laws (Governor General, Senate, House of Representatives) - Judiciary -- Make judgements about the law (High Court of Australia and other Federal Courts) - Governor General -- Represents the King, as well as maintaining the execution of The Constitution and if the laws passed align with The Constitution. - Senate -- One of the two houses in Australia. It consists of 76 Senators, twelve from each of the 6 States and 2 from the mainland Territories. They vote on bills, suggest new laws and closely examine the work of the government to ensure their decisions are in the best interest of Australians. - House of Representatives -- One of the two houses in Australia, the other being the Senate. The members of this house were elected by the people to represent the people in decisions and votes regarding the law. +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | Democracy | | +===================================+===================================+ | Pros | Cons | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Encourages citizen engagement | - Slow decision making process | | and participation | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Respects the wishes and | - Elections are costly | | freedom of all people | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Promotes human rights | - Tendency for political | | | confusion | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Promotes accountability in | - Excludes the views of the | | Government | minority | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - Prevents Authoritarianism and | - Based on popularity not | | Dictatorships | competency | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ | - The wishes of the majority | | +-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+ Law and democracy Defining Moments \| 1.1 What is the role of the High Court? \| Australia\'s Defining Moments Digital Classroom \| National Museum of Australia